I run but saw the best changes when I took up pilates. You can't be truely strong on the outside if its not there on the inside.Pilates also helps reduce the risk of injury by helping to strengthen muscles that become weak when running because other muscles do all the work.

I find that running is the fastest way for me to not only lose weight, but also tighten up my bum, stomach and thighs. I started losing weight jan 12 gradually, and by running have gone from a size 16 to a 10. As the above poster says, you won't get muscle definition unless the muscle below is trained (which mine isn't), but my stomach is now flat. Good luck with your efforts.

I've been running for just over 6 months and I've noticed a difference to my body size and shape. My bottom is definitely firmer and more pert, and my thighs and waist are smaller. I dropped a dress size on my bottom half (14 to a 12) quite quickly, I think by week 5 or 6 of C25K. I've also gone down a cup size. I haven't lost any weight so I must have replaced fat with muscle. Running is the only change I've made, I'm not restricting my diet or doing any other kind of exercise.

Marie yes, you can run with dogs. Have a look at the CaniCross UK website.

MariefromStMoritz If your dog is well behaved and happy to trot along with you rather than dive into the undergrowth in pursuit of a smell, fine. Plenty of people do. I guess the only way is to try it.

I have a question... can you run with your dog? I run (well, mainly walk) on the treadmill but I am wondering if I can go for a run with the dog in the evening instead. She would need to stay on her lead, though, so I am wondering if this is possible and if anybody does it?

Sorry MrsBert, but I was just about to say that running has toned up my thighs and bum nicely! I finished C25k about a month ago and have mostly been running around 5k three times a week since then, although I've only noticed the toning up during the last couple of weeks. It's not particularly helped with the wobbly tummy. I think I need to find the time/energy to do Shred on the non-running days to help with that.

Running is a fantastic way to burn fat, but it won't really tone you up, you need strength training for that. Do the running if you want to ref. the C25K goal and keeping yourself healthy, but I'd look at lifting weights and doing strength training if you want to firm up.